JBL Reference 220 IEMs - initial impression with pics

[eger]

First post woo! These are my second pair of headphones.. err first pair of IEM I guess

I have been using some old Sony MDR-V6 for a VERY long time (5+ years?) and have always found them to be the best headphones I ever used (and I still use them daily and after 5 years still sound great). I originally paid $80 for them so when I saw these the higher priced headphones at the local Fry's for $80 I figured they should compare to the MDR-V6 in quality... and they do!

I've been using them for a couple hours now and they are still VERY bass heavy. Other than that they sound pretty good. Though I don't really have much to compare too. As long as they stay in while I'm biking I'm happy

 

[warrior05]

Congratulations and welcome aboard! And thanks for reawakening my thread.

I still have my 220s and have no plan on ever getting rid of 'em. The bass will settle down with time. Once they do they really are a nice little canalphone. Very comfortable too considering how small they are.

Enjoy!

 

[Abouna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eger /img/forum/go_quote.gif First post woo! These are my second pair of headphones.. err first pair of IEM I guess I have been using some old Sony MDR-V6 for a VERY long time (5+ years?) and have always found them to be the best headphones I ever used (and I still use them daily and after 5 years still sound great). I originally paid $80 for them so when I saw these the higher priced headphones at the local Fry's for $80 I figured they should compare to the MDR-V6 in quality... and they do! I've been using them for a couple hours now and they are still VERY bass heavy. Other than that they sound pretty good. Though I don't really have much to compare too. As long as they stay in while I'm biking I'm happy

Welcome.

When those tips wear out, and since you'll know what size you like, try this place. They sell Ultimate Ear tips by size instead of a pack of all 3 sizes. The UE tips are great, much better seal for me than either the JBL tips or Senn tips.

 

[prosound]

What about the UE bi-flange tips? Has anyone tried them with these? I tried UE grey foamies, and they gave a better seal, but still not good enough for bus rides, they also made the bass a bit shy.

Other than that, I really like the sound, maybe even more than I do the KSC75s, and I definitely don't want other open portables for now, but maybe it's time I got ER6i...

 

[rroossinck]

*Back from the dead*

Anyone know of any national US chains that sell these? I missed out on the Staples deal (got the Reference 410s, but missed these).

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prosound /img/forum/go_quote.gif Other than that, I really like the sound, maybe even more than I do the KSC75s, and I definitely don't want other open portables for now, but maybe it's time I got ER6i...

I too like these a hair more than KSC-75. I think people tend to overstate the capabilities of the 75. I doubt that an ER6i will be an improvement, but an ER4 or im716 would do the trick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rroossinck /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone know of any national US chains that sell these? I missed out on the Staples deal (got the Reference 410s, but missed these).

They're widely available now at ca. $30 shipped, an oddly underdiscussed good deal IMO, and the best in-ear under $45 AFAIK.

 

[facelvega]

Yes, there are a lot of burn-in naysayers, and though I think it is usually highly overrated, on all three pairs of little dynamic canalphones I've had, the signature changed dramatically in the first dozen hours or so. It also keeps changing, but not so much as right at the beginning. Maybe there's something about such tiny drivers that makes the effect greater.

 

[mjb]

I had a pair of these way back when the thread was started... I've since gotten rid of them. i'm looking to pickup another pair, noticed people have been using the cx300 and e2 tips... was wondering if the shure tips for the 3,4,5 series phones also fit?

thanks,
mjb

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjb /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had a pair of these way back when the thread was started... I've since gotten rid of them. i'm looking to pickup another pair, noticed people have been using the cx300 and e2 tips... was wondering if the shure tips for the 3,4,5 series phones also fit? thanks, mjb

e3 tips don't fit. Recently, I was stuck using my 220 as my primary portable while my im716 and Pro 30 were off for modding. This was a real eye-opener; nice though the 220 is, it just can't compete with such better earphones/headphones. The old danger of making an upgrade.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke28072 /img/forum/go_quote.gif What other tips are compatabe with the JBL Refrence 220's?

UE

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke28072 /img/forum/go_quote.gif all of the Ultimate Ear tips, or just a select few?

Everything from UE universal kit. Get the kit, decide which one you like better and buy this specific tip. They also work beautifully on Mylarone X3.
CX300 tips work too, you can get them from e-bay for cheap, but UE are so much better.

 

[dweaver]

I am having a hard time finding JBL 220's in my area and am wondering if anyone have had UE Metro.fi 150 or 200's and how they compare to the JBL's?

Also I can get the super.fi 400 as well, again how do they compare to the JBL's?

One final question, do the ear attachments actually work in the JBL's or are they not worth the effort?

BTW these are going to be used with an Ipod Touch if that makes any difference? I just want to switch away from the Ipod headphones as I know from experience I can't get them to stay in my ears.